Works to begin on New Town retail precinct

WORK to transform the New Town retail precinct is set to break ground at the end of the month.

The streetscape design has been developed in collaboration with the local community, reflecting its needs for the area to be a more vibrant and accessible place.

New Town Community Association president Sandra Halliwell said the process of working with the local community and City of Hobart staff was “an amazing collaborative effort on the part of all participants.”

She said the feedback from the community about the proposal had been very positive and they looked forward to a new image for New Town.

Local residents, students, landowners, businesses, community groups and organisations worked on a vision for the precinct and identified the upgrade’s key priorities.

These included better footpaths and improved pedestrian crossing facilities on New Town Road and the side streets along the main road.

Traffic access at the Cross Street junction near Jackman and McRoss will remain unchanged, however the junction design will allow it to be closed to traffic occasionally, creating a public space for community events.

There will also be improved pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, places for people to stop, rest and gather, and a refreshed appearance, including public artwork, new trees and heritage interpretation.

The City of Hobart’s works crew will start stage one of the works along the New Town Road intersections with Pirie, Pedder and Seymour streets.

When finished, there will be street furniture, renewed footpaths, improved pedestrian access at Pirie and Pedder streets, street tree and planting beds, and bicycle lanes.

As part of the upgrade, further improvements to New Town Road and adjoined streets will be made in late 2019 and 2020.

For updates, visit hobartcity.com.au/newtown.

Caption: An artist’s impression of the transformed New Town retail precinct.